USD Softball Begins Season at NorCal Kickoff Tournament 2026

The University of San Diego Toreros softball team will launch its 2026 season at the NorCal Kickoff tournament in northern California, opening a five‑game slate against UC Davis, Cal Poly and Colorado State.

Schedule Overview

All games will be played at La Rue Field in Davis (capacity 300) and at Shea Stadium in Sacramento (capacity 912). The Toreros’ first pitch is set for Friday at 12:05 p.m. Against the Aggies, followed by a 2:30 p.m. Matchup with the Mustangs. Saturday’s slate begins at 9:30 a.m. Versus Colorado State, with a second game at noon against UC Davis. The tournament concludes on Sunday with a 12:00 p.m. Game versus Cal Poly.

Friday’s opening contest against UC Davis will be streamed on ESPN+ with Gregory Wong providing play‑by‑play commentary, and live statistics will be available on UCDavisAggies.com.

Did You Know? The Toreros first met UC Davis on the softball field in 1989, when the Aggies defeated San Diego 8‑0 in Hayward, California.

Historical Context

Against UC Davis, the Toreros hold a 3‑5 all‑time record, with the most recent meeting on March 3, 2019 resulting in a 2‑1 loss at the USD Softball Complex. Prior to that, San Diego won three consecutive games in 2017, 2014 and 2012.

The series versus Cal Poly stands at 3‑9 in San Diego’s favor; the latest encounter was a 6‑5 extra‑innings defeat on February 24, 2023 at the Mary Nutter Classic. The Toreros last beat the Mustangs in 2020, 4‑3 in Los Angeles.

Colorado State leads the all‑time series 6‑3, with the most recent result a 4‑3 loss for San Diego on February 18, 2024 at the USD Softball Complex. San Diego’s previous victories over the Rams came in 2022, 2018 and 2009.

Preseason Expectations

In the West Coast Conference (WCC) coaches’ preseason poll released on Wednesday, the Toreros were projected to finish sixth, earning 11 points—four ahead of Portland, which was slotted seventh. The team was fifth in the 2025 poll and tied for second in 2024.

The WCC poll ranked Santa Clara first (36 points) and Saint Mary’s second (31 points), with San Diego placed sixth behind those programmes.

Key Players and Roster Moves

Returning standouts include junior outfielder Kaitlyn Wynia, who posted a .328 batting average and .391 on‑base percentage in 2025, and senior first baseman Taylor Johnson, who led the team with a .575 slugging percentage and nine home runs.

Senior pitcher Kelsey Tadlock anchored the rotation with four complete games, 105 innings pitched and a team‑best 3.47 ERA.

The Toreros added two transfer pitchers: outfielder Kaylee Oh from Miami (OH) and right‑hander Charlie Johnson from Sonoma State, both expected to bolster the lineup and mound.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the Toreros’ early‑season road test against three non‑conference opponents offers a valuable gauge of how the new transfers and freshman talent will integrate. A solid performance could accelerate the team’s climb in the WCC standings, while early struggles may highlight areas needing adjustment before conference play begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Toreros’ opening weekend begin?

The first game of the NorCal Kickoff tournament is scheduled for Friday at 12:05 p.m., with the Toreros facing UC Davis.

Which teams will the Toreros play during the tournament?

San Diego will play UC Davis, Cal Poly and Colorado State in a five‑game series over three days.

How have the Toreros historically performed against these opponents?

All‑time records are 3‑5 vs. UC Davis, 3‑9 vs. Cal Poly and 3‑6 vs. Colorado State, with the most recent meetings resulting in narrow defeats for San Diego.

What are you most looking forward to seeing from the Toreros as they kick off the 2026 season?